Dear CODEPINKer,
Two
years ago, on December 27, the Israeli military began a 22-day
assault on the people living inside Gaza. This brutal
attack that used white phosphorous and other deadly weapons to blatantly
target innocent civilians, including school children and hospital
patients, resulted in the death of over 1,400 Palestinians. One
year ago at this time we were in Egypt for the Gaza Freedom March,
a massive effort that brought nearly 1,400 people from over 40 countries
together to march for an end to the siege of Gaza. People like you
did solidarity
actions
in over 150 cities.
We want to share with you what happened on that march in a new video
just released in time for the anniversary. Please take a moment
to watch
it now.
Members
of the Gaza Freedom March returned home determined to continue their
activism. Holocaust survivor Hedy Epstein, 86 years old, has done
just that, from speaking up during the UC Berkeley
campus divestment hearings, to joining the Gaza
flotilla that was shot at by the Israelis, to participating
in a flashmob
dance to boycott Motorola.
So,
too, CODEPINK has kept up the pressure this year, demonstrating
in Congress and at the White House, protesting the pro-occupation
lobby AIPAC, boycotting
Ahava, helping to raise funds for the next
flotilla and taking two more delegations to Gaza. You
can join
us on our next delegation on January 30 to February 6
where, at the invitation of the United Nations, we will be focusing
on the plight of children.
The
situation in Gaza remains dire. A new report called Dashed
Hopes: Continuation of the Gaza Blockade says that little
has changed since Israel's June 2010 announcement that it would
ease the restrictions. It found that 80 percent of the population
remains dependent on international aid, businesses still don't
have the raw materials they need to reopen, and residents are still
denied access to their friends, relatives and educational opportunities
in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and abroad.
As
the new year approaches, we hope you will renew your commitment
to taking action for a more just and peaceful world.
Onwards
to lift the siege, Ali,
Brian, Janet, Jean, Joan, Jodie, Kit, Lisa, Farida, Medea, Nancy,
Pam, Rae, and Tighe
P.S.
Check
out Medea Benjamin's Ten
Good Things (and more) to Celebrate in a Bad Year
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